Types of Paint Thinners

For oil-based paints, paint thinners act as a solvent. Various types of paint thinners exist, including methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylformamide and naphtha. However, common types of paint thinners are turpentine and acetone. If you want to work with paint thinner, consider also buying gloves, face mask and eyewear to prevent any agitation or damage from inhaling fumes.

Turpentine

Quality turpentine comes from pine trees, but other paint thinners derive turpentine from crude oil. When using turpentine to thin paint, you wear protective clothing like goggles and gloves to prevent irritation to eyes and skin. Turpentine is highly flammable; so when you store the paint thinner containers, they need to be away from electrical outlets, oxidizing agents and combustibles.

Acetone

Acetone appears in many household items, such as nail polish remover. Acetone is a clear, colorless liquid that you also find in automative lacquer and inks. Although breathing acetone in high concentration leads to respiratory irritation, acetone has a low toxicity level. Both humans and animals produce acetone through natural processes.

Toluene

Crude oil and tolu trees produce a paint thinner called toluene. Also a clear, colorless liquid, toluene is present in fingernail polish, rubber and adhesives. Toluene also has a benzene-like odor. As a paint thinner, toluene easily dissolves paints, rubber, printing ink, disinfectants, adhesives and leather tanners. Along with turpentine and acetone, toluene is a common paint thinner that most painters use to quickly clean brushes.

Xylene

As a solvent, xylene works as a substitute to toluene and thins lacquers when slower drying is necessary. Xylene comes from oil and gas developments. Xylene also works as a pesticide and cleaning agent for steel or silicon wafers and chips. Printing, rubber and leather industries use xylene as a paint thinner.